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Hospital offers swine flu service Hospital offers swine flu service
(about 7 hours later)
Two swine flu victims have been given special life-saving treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, MSPs have been told.Two swine flu victims have been given special life-saving treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, MSPs have been told.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said it was the only Scottish hospital which now had adult ECMO machines and staff trained in their use.Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said it was the only Scottish hospital which now had adult ECMO machines and staff trained in their use.
ECMO - extracorporeal membrane oxygenation - treats those whose heart or lungs do not function properly.ECMO - extracorporeal membrane oxygenation - treats those whose heart or lungs do not function properly.
Scottish patients needing the treatment were previously sent to Leicester.Scottish patients needing the treatment were previously sent to Leicester.
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: "I can confirm today that over the past week, adult respiratory ECMO has been provided at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on two occasions.Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: "I can confirm today that over the past week, adult respiratory ECMO has been provided at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on two occasions.
"Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is currently the only site in Scotland where there are both respiratory adult ECMO machines and staff who have been trained by Leicester in their use."Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is currently the only site in Scotland where there are both respiratory adult ECMO machines and staff who have been trained by Leicester in their use.
The scientists now consider that the overall clinical attack rate in a worst case scenario might now affect 12% of the population Nicola SturgeonHealth secretaryThe scientists now consider that the overall clinical attack rate in a worst case scenario might now affect 12% of the population Nicola SturgeonHealth secretary
"The decision to provide ECMO for the two patients in Aberdeen was taken after close clinical consultation with the Leicester team and indeed those consultations are ongoing.""The decision to provide ECMO for the two patients in Aberdeen was taken after close clinical consultation with the Leicester team and indeed those consultations are ongoing."
One Scottish swine flu victim, pregnant woman Sharon Pentleton, received ECMO treatment in Sweden because no beds were available in Leicester, and later made a full recovery.One Scottish swine flu victim, pregnant woman Sharon Pentleton, received ECMO treatment in Sweden because no beds were available in Leicester, and later made a full recovery.
HOW AN ECMO MACHINE WORKS 1. Blood is drained out of the body through a vein into the ECMO machine, which removes carbon dioxide and adds oxygen allowing the heart and lungs to rest 2. Blood is warmed before being returned to the heart - flow of blood out of the body is steadily reduced as patient recovers
The health secretary also told MSPs that last week an estimated 19,2000 people contracted swine flu, compared with 14,600 the week before.The health secretary also told MSPs that last week an estimated 19,2000 people contracted swine flu, compared with 14,600 the week before.
Since the outbreak began, a total of 556 people have been admitted to hospital, 176 of them in the past week.Since the outbreak began, a total of 556 people have been admitted to hospital, 176 of them in the past week.
As of Wednesday, there were 65 people in hospital confirmed as having the H1N1 virus, 23 of whom were in intensive care.As of Wednesday, there were 65 people in hospital confirmed as having the H1N1 virus, 23 of whom were in intensive care.
A total of 25 people have died, four of them in the past week.A total of 25 people have died, four of them in the past week.
Vaccination roll-outVaccination roll-out
Ms Sturgeon also told MSPs that 165,000 doses of vaccine had so far been supplied to health boards.Ms Sturgeon also told MSPs that 165,000 doses of vaccine had so far been supplied to health boards.
From this week GPs have started to receive initial supplies, and all GP practices should have received their initial supplies by the end of next week.From this week GPs have started to receive initial supplies, and all GP practices should have received their initial supplies by the end of next week.
Ms Sturgeon said: "We expect all of the 1.3 million people in the priority groups to have been offered vaccination by Christmas."Ms Sturgeon said: "We expect all of the 1.3 million people in the priority groups to have been offered vaccination by Christmas."
Ms Sturgeon also said the latest UK planning assumptions published last week showed a "consistent but gradual" rise in swine flu.Ms Sturgeon also said the latest UK planning assumptions published last week showed a "consistent but gradual" rise in swine flu.
"The scientists now consider that the overall clinical attack rate in a worst case scenario might now affect 12% of the population," she said."The scientists now consider that the overall clinical attack rate in a worst case scenario might now affect 12% of the population," she said.
"This is down from the 30% figure in the previous planning assumptions."This is down from the 30% figure in the previous planning assumptions.
"Furthermore, workplace absences are now projected to be up to 5% rather than 12% as previously indicated.""Furthermore, workplace absences are now projected to be up to 5% rather than 12% as previously indicated."
But Labour's Jackie Baillie said Nicola Sturgeon should get a grip of the flu vaccination programme.But Labour's Jackie Baillie said Nicola Sturgeon should get a grip of the flu vaccination programme.
She said: "The health secretary launched the vaccination programme on October 21st, but many GPs will not start to receive supplies until November. Even then it is becoming clear that the amount will be insufficient to deal with demand.She said: "The health secretary launched the vaccination programme on October 21st, but many GPs will not start to receive supplies until November. Even then it is becoming clear that the amount will be insufficient to deal with demand.
"In Midlothian, there are reports that there is not enough vaccine to cover 70 pregnant women, let alone other vulnerable groups. It is unacceptable that patients are being told to call back on a daily basis because local GPs are not aware of what is happening.""In Midlothian, there are reports that there is not enough vaccine to cover 70 pregnant women, let alone other vulnerable groups. It is unacceptable that patients are being told to call back on a daily basis because local GPs are not aware of what is happening."